A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid. Carers play an important role in supporting autistic people and it is important that they feel supported and know that they can ask for help with their caring role if they need to.
When should a carer assessment be carried out?
A carer assessment should be carried out if somebody is providing care or support for another person. The guidance under the Care Act 2014 says that if you feel you devote a lot of time to caring for someone and you do this regularly, you can have a carers assessment. You may not be providing a lot of hours of care, but it may have a big impact on your life.
If somebody is thinking about becoming a carer, they can ask for an assessment.
The purpose of the assessment:
To identify the carers needs, look at their role as a carer and how it affects them, assess how much caring they can actually do and any help they may need.
Young carers are also entitled to a carer assessment. If they are under 16. They are assessed under the Children Act 2004.
The content of the assessment:
The assessment covers the following areas: caring role, health, feelings and choices about caring, work, study, leisure and housing. There is also a section about planning for emergencies and what support is available for making an ‘emergency plan’.
At the end of the assessment, information and advice is given about what support is available and how to access this. For example, Suffolk Family Carers and their Caring for Adults with Autism programme, Carers personal budget, Wellbeing Service, Family Carers Emergency Planning Service.
We often discuss what support may be available for the cared for person, i.e. a referral to Adult and Community Services (ACS) for an assessment of need (daytime activities, work opportunities, supported living accommodation), Autism Alert Card scheme, concessionary bus pass, benefits, council tax reduction scheme etc.
The outcome of the assessment:
Carers often appreciate having the time to talk about how they are feeling and how their caring role impacts on their life. They may be struggling with problems and difficulties (health issues, financial concerns, debt etc.) which they are unable to share with the cared for person, or are concealing from them, in order to spare their feelings. They may be very isolated and alone and have no one to share this with.
